Improvement in straw-cutters



H. E. MOON. Straw-Gutters.

N0,\49, 77 Patented April 21, 1874.

Witnesses. Inventor.

UNITED STATES PATENT GFrIcE- HIRAM E. MOON, OF RICHMOND, INDIANA.

lMPROVEMENT IN sTRAW-CUTTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. masflgiaten Apiil 21,1874; applicafionfile d March 18, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HIRAM E. MOON, of Richmond, in the county of Wayneand State of Indiana, have invented certain Improvements inStraw-Gutters, of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to improvements in the construction and operationof straw or feed cutting boxes, whereby a great saving in labor andmaterial is effected in their construction, and a strong, durable, andeffective machine can be produced at little cost.

The invention consists in making thefaceplate V-shaped in form, and theknife circular or arc-shaped in form, and in pii'oting the lever'at apoint below the cutting-line, across which the edge of the knifetraverses, thereby giving a drawing or sliding out throughout the entiredownward stroke, instead of a vertical or angular cut, as heretofore,and thereby greatly facilitating the process of cutting withoutrequiring any increase of power.

1n the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of myimproved cuttingbox. Fig. 2 is a detached view of the mouthpiece orframe-plate. Fig. 3 is a detached view. of parts of the brace-bar,showing the method of securing the same. Fig. 4 .is a detached sectionalview of the adjustable pivotplate and lever.

A represents the throat or mouth piece, consisting of a cast-metal plateor framehavin g flanged edges, to which the forward legs B B and theforward ends of the boards 0 (J, which form the cutting-box, are firmlysecured by screws or bolts, as shown by Fig. 1 of the drawings. Theupper edge of the frame-plate is arched, and provided with a projectinghorn, a, for the purpose hereinafter set forth. A lug or stop, D, isalso cast on and projects from the face of the frameplate. Thisprojection D acts as a stop to arrest the downward stroke of thecutting-knife at the proper point, and also serves, as a convenientsupport to prevent the knife-lever from falling to the ground when theoperator removes his hand from the handle. E is the rear leg, havingaV-shaped notch or groove cut in its upper end to receive and clamp thebottom edges of the boards 0, to which it is secured by a plate, 6, asshown in Fig. 1. F is a mdpr brace-bar,

which passes from the lower part of the leg E diagonally to the miter ofthe two front legs B. The ends of this brace-bar are shod with metalfastenings or mortise-tips G, cast with a lip, g, or face, which formsan obtuse angle with the sides, as shown at h h, Fig. 3. The mortisethrough the tip is cast of tapering form, so that when the rod orbrace-bar is driven through from the small end, and a wedge, i, isdriven into the bar from the opposite side, a tight joint is formed,which firmly secures the tip to the end of the bar. The bracerod issecured to the legs by screws or bolts passing through the lips of thetips, as shown in Fig. 3. The front tip covers the miter of the twofront legs, and holds them both firmly in place. By means of this devicea cheap and substantial means of fastening and bracing the legs isprovided. H represents a lever, to which the cutting-knife O is secured.It is formed with a long curved shank, terminating in a disk, I, havingits inner face made flat to fit a corresponding disk, K, which forms thepivot for the lever. As shown by the drawings, the pivotal point of thelever H is placed below the line across which the edge of the knifepasses in the downward stroke, and, as the knife is arcshaped, a slidingor drawing cut, like that of a sickle, is secured throughout the entiredownward stroke of the knife. The pivot-diskK is secured to the forwardleg B by means of a plate, L, projecting from its rear side. The plate Lis provided with adjusting bolt-holes k k, by means of which, and thebolts 70 70 which securejtheplate to the leg, the cutting-knifemay beadjusted relatively with the mouth-pieceof the box, so as to cut at therequired angle. The disk K is also provided with a projecting pivot, M,of peculiar form, as shown by Fig. 4 of the drawin gs. The part next tothe disk is made round so as to form the pivot for thecutting-knifelever. The part next to the pivot is made square, so as to receive awasher or frictionnut, 11., which holds the washer N in position..

By this device the lever may be worked up and down without danger ofbecoming loose through the unscrewin g of the nut or stripping thescrew-threadfiail friction being confined to the round portionit'w'f thepivot next to the disk, and by screwing or unscrewing the nut anydesired degree of pressure of the knife against the throat or mouthpiece may be obtained. 0 is the cutting knife, secured to the lever H,and it is made circular or arc-shaped for the purpose hereinbeforedescribed. I? is the plate, against which the knife cuts. Q is an archedcover secured over the mouth or throat of the box, and held in positionby the flange of the frame-plate, and, by bolts or screws, to the boards00. The horn (1 serves as a guide for operating the cutting-knife.

In operation, my improved cutting-box is tion is therefore deemedsuperfluous.

What I claim as my invention is The arc-shaped knife 0, secured to thelever H, and pivoted to the face-plate A at a point below thecutting-line, so as to give a sliding or drawing motion to the cut, asset forth.

HIRAM E. MOON.

" Witnesses:

CLARK H. HADLEY, J OHN C. HADLEY.

